I thought since this is supposed to be introduction to computers or computers 101 we should go back to some real basic stuff today. We have talk about many things that are not really basic information, much closer to intermediate use and low end advance user stuff. So today we go back to the basics.
A computer is nothing more than a machine, electrically operated and performs two basic functions, the input and output of a series of instructions given to it by the user, or you. So in a nut shell the computer receives data from you, processes that data, stores that data and then returns that data back to you.
Input Devices -- "How to tell it what to do" - A keyboard and mouse are the standard way to interact with the computer. Other devices include joysticks and game pads used primarily for games. Output Devices -- "How it shows you what it is doing" - The monitor (the screen) is how the computer sends information back to you, whether it be surfing the web or writing a memo. A printer is also an output device. Storage Devices -- "How it saves data and programs" - Hard disk drives are an internal, higher capacity drive which also stores the operating system which runs when you power on the computer. Basic Computer Terms you need to know: Hardware - the physical parts of the computer. Software - the programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do Data - individual facts like first name, price, quantity ordered. Information - data which has been massaged into a useful form, like a complete mailing address Default - the original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything.
There really are only two types of basic computers and they both perform the above functions. A PC or what used to be called IBM Compatible Computer, and Macintosh or Mac. The only difference between the two at the basic level is the manufacturer.
Computers to come in many shapes and sizes, desktop models, laptops, pda's (personal data access), tablet PCs, tough books (or mil spec), cell phones, and the list goes on and on.
An application is another word for a program running on the computer. Whether or not it is a good application depends on how well it performs the tasks it is designed to do and how easy it is for the user to use. That involves the user interface- the way the user tells the software what to do and how the computer displays information and options to the user.
There are many different kinds of applications, all with lots of spiffy features. Word processing is the application that is used most often and most widely. We will start with it to learn about the terms and features that are common to most applications, as well as some that are specific to word processing. Then we will look at other major applications and what they do. Examples of word processing programs: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus WordPro, and Open Office Writer. Word Processing Word processing is the most used computer application! It has replaced the typewriter as the main way words are put on paper. Documents can be revised and corrected before they are ever printed. An existing document can be used as a template, or pattern, for a new one. So the user doesn't have to recreate standard documents from scratch each time. This is a major time-saver and helps keep things consistent.
The purpose is to produce documents and the advantage is you are creating a document you can edit or change easily.
Steps to produce a document Create Edit Format Print Save (often!!) Let's look at the terms involved in these steps more closely.
Most of these terms also apply to the other standard applications, so we will not redefine them for all.
You create a document when you open a blank document and enter text.
Features/Terms:
Word wrap - automatically wrapping the text to the next line so it all fits within the screen's width Cursor - symbol for where text will appear like: Enter text- type new text Scrolling - moving document around within window Select - Highlight text, usually by dragging. Commands and keystroke combinations will apply to the selected material. Edit - make changes Cut - remove selection from document and store temporarily on the Clipboard, which is a section of computer memory. The Windows Clipboard can hold only one thing at a time. The Office Clipboard from Office XP and later versions can hold many items. Copy - duplicate selection onto Clipboard Paste - place contents of the Clipboard at cursor location Undo - reverses whatever change you just made
Some programs will only "undo" the last change.
Others keep a list and can undo more, depending on how many changes the program tracks Insert - add text at location without overwriting existing text Delete - remove text (not saved anywhere) Search - look for specific word(s) or character(s) Replace - can replace specific word(s) or character(s) with stated text Template - a document that serves as a pattern for a new document Thesaurus - looks for synonyms for selected word Spelling check - looks for spelling errors Grammar check - looks for grammar/style errors (of limited help)
A database is a collection of data that you want to manage, rearrange, and add to later. It is a good program to use to manage lists that are not entirely numbers, such as addresses and phone numbers, inventories, and membership rosters. With a database you could sort the data by name or city or postal code or by any individual item of information recorded. You can create forms to enter or update or just display the data. You can create reports that show just the data you are interested in, like members who owe dues. Both spreadsheets and databases can be used to handle much the same information, but each is optimized to handle a different type most efficiently. The larger the number of records, the more important the differences are. Examples of databases: MS Access, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox, Approach, Oracle, Open Office Base. Graphics programs deal with pictures, either static or moving, flat or 3D. There are an amazing number of different formats for images in the world and no one program can handle them all. Adobe Photoshop is the most widely used graphics program for professionals. PaintShopPro is popular because it offers most of Photoshop's features at a lower cost and with a friendlier interface. There are many other programs. Some specialize in handling photographs or animations or creating logos. A presentation program, also known as presentation graphics, links together a sequence of slides containing text and graphics. A slide show might be used for a sales presentation or for training or to enhance any kind of speech. A presentation program includes a number of tools for creating graphics that are quite useful. High-end programs can add sound and video to the slides. Examples of presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel Presentations, Lotus Freelance Graphics, Harvard Graphics, Open Office Impress
An FTP program manages the moving of files between computers. When you download a file over the Internet, you are using an FTP program. Programs like word processors and HTML editors that can upload files to web sites include this ability without having to use another program. The image below is for the program WS_FTP, which is a fairly typical FTP program. It shows the folder tree for both the source and destination. You can copy in either direction. Chat In a chat program you join a chat room. You write messages that appear in a window that shows all the messages being sent in this chat room. Everyone who is logged in to this room can read your messages.
Instant Messaging An instant messaging program notifies you when your friends are online. Then you can send them messages, which they see immediately. Only the one you send the message to can see it and only you can see the messages that are sent to you, unless you choose to change to a multiple-user mode. Recent versions of instant messaging include the ability to use video conferencing, to play games together with your friends, and even to make phone calls over the Internet. Examples of instant messaging programs are Skype, MSN, Yahoo, AOL and ICQ.
An Internet browser is a program that lets you navigate the World Wide Web or view HTML pages on a CD or on your hard disk. [It's what you are using to view this page!] A browser displays web pages, keeps track of where you've been, and remembers the places you want to return to. Email, or electronic mail, is becoming more and more popular as people learn to communicate again with written words. For many purposes it is superior to a phone call because you don't have to catch the person in and you can get straight to the point. No time is wasted on casual conversation. It also leaves a written record to refer back to for a response or if you forget who said what. Email is superior to the traditional office memo because it uses no paper (Save the trees!!) and it can be sent to a whole list of people instantly. An email client is the program that has to be on your computer to download and manage emails. Commonly used email client programs include Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Windows Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Eudora. Another way to handle email is with a web-based email account. Your email is managed entirely through web pages. Your computer needs only a browser to access email, compose new messages, and to reply to messages. HotMail from MSN, Yahoo Mail, and Gmail from Google are popular web-based email sites. Purpose:Transmitting messages between computer users Major Advantage:Speed Major Disadvantage: You don't know if the receiver actually reads it, though you can find out if they received it. Of course in a phone conversation you don't really know if the person is actually listening either! With no body language or vocal intonations it is difficult to convey the emotional tone you want. Irony and sarcasm are particularly dangerous since your reader may take you seriously.
A software suite is a set of applications which can each stand alone. They are packaged together for a lower price than if all were bought separately. There are usually enhancements that help the applications communicate with each other, also. Some popular suites of office software include MS Office, Lotus Smart Suite, WordPerfect Office, OpenOffice, and iWork (for Mac computers).
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